Evaluation and uses of Local Gypsum Plaster

Data and information about gypsum, its uses and occurences were
collected. Also information about previous local research and studies
were collected. Then samples from locally produced gypsum plaster were
taken and analysed physically and chemically and for comparison the
same analysis were carried on imported gypsum plaster. All obtained
results were compared with local and international standards, and it were
found to comply with local standards, but it gave low results when
compared with the imported one.
The work was extended to study its possible uses as building material.
Different types of mortar were prepared and prisms and piers were built
from them and local bricks in order to study their effect on brickwork
strength. It is clear that from the results obtained, it can be used in mortar
alone or with cement mortar as plasticizer to improve its properties. It
also increases its sand carrying capacity and therefore it can be used as
low-cost mortar. Gypsum mortars are also suitable fore use with local
traditional bricks.
The study also includes its use as stabilizer with stabilized soil blocks. It
improves the dry properties of the blocks but when immeresed in water it
completely dissolved.
The study also showed the possibility of using it to produce bricks and
blocks.The produced bricks were of good quality.